Monitor improved in a tilting and combining structure

ABSTRACT

A monitor has a monitor main body and a base member to support the monitor main body. The monitor includes a link member disposed between the monitor main body and the base member, a base hinge coupling the link member, which is to be rotated within a predetermined angle against the base member, with the base member, and a monitor hinge coupling the monitor main body, which is to be rotated against the link member, with the link member. The monitor includes an auxiliary link member to link the rotation of the link member against the base member with the rotation of monitor main body, and a base bracket combined to the base member to allow the base member to be installed on an inclined plane.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.10/295,831 filed Nov. 18, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,604,206. Thisapplication also claims the benefit of Korean Application No.2001-71860, filed Nov. 19, 2001, Application No. 2002-27683, filed May20, 2002, and Application No. 2002-56429 filed Sep. 17, 2002, in theKorean Industrial Property Office, the disclosures of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to a monitor, and moreparticularly, to a monitor improved in tilting structure of the monitoragainst a base member, and improved in combining structure of the basemember and an inclined plane.

2. Description of the Related Art

As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional monitor includes a base member 201laid on a horizontal plane, a monitor main body 202 to display a picturethereon, and a link member 210 to link the base member 201 with the mainbody 202.

A lower part of the link member 210 is rotatably combined to the basemember 201 by a pair of fixing brackets 204 and 206, and an upper partof the link member 210 is fixed with the main body 202.

Thus, along a direction of an arrow “A” in FIG. 1, the link member 210is vertically rotated against the base member 201, but the main body 202cannot be tilted against the link member 210. Therefore, with theconventional monitor, it is inconvenient to adjust an angle of the mainbody 202 as necessary.

Contrary to the monitor shown in FIG. 1, it is possible that the upperpart of the link member 210 is rotatably combined to the main body 202,and the lower part of the link member 210 is fixed with the base member201. Accordingly, the angle of the main body 202 is more efficientlyadjusted.

As computer systems rapidly spread, demand of various monitorcapabilities are also being rapidly increased. In relation to theincreased demand of the monitor, there has been provided an arm stand tosupport the monitor, which is manufactured separately from the monitorand combined to the monitor, to thereby meet a user's preference. Acombining structure of the monitor and the arm stand has been regulatedby VESA (VIDEO ELECTRONIC STANDARD ASSOCIATION).

However, in the conventional monitor, because the base member 210 mustbe laid on the horizontal plane, it is impossible to install the monitoronto an inclined plane such as a wall, the arm stand, etc. Because themain body 202 is not folded to the base member 201, the monitor ispacked in a state as shown in FIG. 1, or in a state that the link member210 is folded to the base member, which is not shown. Thus, a packingvolume of the monitor cannot be decreased, thereby increasing costs tokeep and carry the monitor. Furthermore, if regulations regarding theangle adjustment of the main body 202 are different in various nations,it is difficult to adaptively meet regulation requirements for the angleadjustment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide amonitor, in which a base member is installed onto an inclined plane suchas a wall, an arm stand, etc., and more particularly, to provide amonitor which is easily installed onto various arm stands according toVESA standards.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a monitor whichproperly adjusts a tilting angle of a main body against a base member,and decrease costs to keep and carry the monitor by minimizing thepacking volume thereof.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth inpart in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious fromthe description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

The foregoing and other objects of the present invention are achieved byproviding a monitor having a monitor main body and a base member tosupport the monitor main body, and including a link member disposedbetween the monitor main body and the base member. The monitor includesa base hinge coupling the link member, which rotates within apredetermined angle against the base member, with the base member. Themonitor also includes a monitor hinge coupling the monitor main body,which rotates against the link member, with the link member and anauxiliary link member to link the rotation of the link member againstthe base member with the rotation of the monitor main body. The monitorincludes a base bracket combined to the base member and allowing thebase member to be installed on an inclined plane.

According to an aspect of the invention, the base bracket is detachablycombined to the base member and includes hooks to hook to hook holdersprovided in the base member.

According to an aspect of the invention, the base bracket includes firstcombining holes to install the base bracket on the inclined plane.

According to an aspect of the invention, to combine the base bracket andthe link member, the base bracket includes second combining holes, andthe link member includes third combining holes corresponding to thesecond combining holes.

According to an aspect of the invention, the second combining holes ofthe base bracket and the third combining holes of the link member areformed according to the VESA standards.

According to another aspect of the invention, the monitor furtherincludes first and second fixing brackets spaced from each other at apredetermined distance and installed on the base member. The base hingeincludes first and second base hinge parts to rotatably combine oppositesides of a lower end part of the link member to the first and secondfixing brackets.

According to an aspect of the invention, the first base hinge partincludes a first pin accommodating part formed on a side of the linkmember, a first boss accommodating part formed on the first fixingbracket and having a noncircular section, and a first hinge pin having afirst end rotatably inserted in the first pin accommodating part and asecond end fitted into the first boss accommodating part.

According to an aspect of the invention, the first fixing bracketincluding a spring supporting part protruded from an inside thereoftoward the second fixing bracket. The spring supporting part has atorsion spring placed thereon, elastically acting in an oppositedirection to a downward rotation of the link member against the basemember.

According to an aspect of the invention, the second base hinge partincludes a second pin accommodating part formed on a side of the linkmember, a first link supporting part coupled to the second fixingbracket and formed with a second boss accommodating part therein, asecond hinge pin having a first end rotatably inserted in the second pinaccommodating part, and a second end engaged with the second bossaccommodating part of the first link supporting part.

According to another aspect of the invention, at least one of the firstand second base hinge parts has a tilt resticting device placed thereonto restrict the rotation of the link member against the base memberwithin a predetermined angle range.

According to an aspect of the invention, the tilt resticting deviceincludes first and second stoppers formed on opposite sides of the linkmember adjacent to the first and second pin accommodating part to faceeach other. The tilt restricting device also includes a pair ofprojections provided on the first and second boss accommodating partsand selectively engaged with the first and second stoppers according toa rotation direction of the link member.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the monitor furtherincludes a supporter combined to the monitor main body. The monitorhinge includes first and second monitor hinge parts to rotatably combineopposite sides of an upper end part of the link member to the supporter.

According to an aspect of the invention, the first monitor hinge partincludes a first hinge accommodating part grooved on one side of thesupporter, a first hinge holder formed on one side of the upper end partof the link member, and an accommodating part cover placed on an openingof the first hinge accommodating part in a state that the first hingeholder is arranged in the first hinge accommodating part.

According to an aspect of the invention, the second monitor hinge partincludes a third pin accommodating part formed on the other side of thesupporter, a second hinge accommodating part formed on the other side ofthe upper end part of the link member, a second hinge holder rotatablyinserted in the second hinge accommodating part from an outside of thelink member. The second monitor hinge part also includes a second linksupporting part including the second hinge holder, and a third bossaccommodating part formed inside the second hinge holder. The secondmonitor hinge part includes a third hinge pin having a first endrotatably inserted in the third pin accommodating part of the supporterand a second end fitted into the third boss accommodating part of thesecond link supporting part.

According to an aspect of the invention, the second monitor hinge partis provided with a monitor angle restricting device to restrict a tiltof the monitor main body against the link member within a predeterminedangle range.

According to an aspect of the invention, the monitor angle restrictingdevice includes a third stopper of an arced shape protruded from anopening of the third pin accommodating part formed on the supporter anda rotation-restricting washer put on the third hinge pin and having aprojection to be selectively engaged with the third stopper according toa rotation direction of the monitor main body. The monitor anglerestricting device also includes a flat spring combined to a sideadjacent to the third pin accommodating part of the supporter, andrestricting a rotation of the supporter by pressing the projection ofthe rotation-restricting washer.

According to an aspect of the invention, the flat spring includes aprojection elastically deformed and fastened to the other side of thesupporter.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the auxiliary linkmember is provided in pairs in parallel with each other and combined tothe first and second link supporting parts.

According to an aspect of the invention, on each of the first and secondlink supporting parts are provided a plurality of pin holes spaced fromeach other at a predetermined distance. On opposite ends of eachauxiliary link member are formed through holes to be communicated withthe pin holes, respectively, and to the through holes and the pin holesare inserted link fixing pins.

According to another aspect of the invention, on the link member isprovided a cable accommodating part to accommodate cables connecting atleast one first cable port provided in the base member with at least onesecond cable port connected to the monitor main body. The first hingeholder and the first hinge accommodating part of the supporter isprovided with a cable accommodating groove to accommodate the cables.

According to an aspect of the invention, the monitor main body is foldedon the base member, and the link member is accommodated in a link memberaccommodating part formed in a middle of a surface of the base member.

According to an aspect of the invention, the second link supporting partprovided in the upper end part of the link member is rotated by theauxiliary link member when the link member is rotated. The monitor mainbody is tilted together with the second link supporting part at a sameangle.

The foregoing and other objects of the present invention are achieved byproviding a monitor having a main body and a base member supporting themain body including a link member disposed between the main body and thebase member, a base hinge coupling the link member, to be rotated withina predetermined angle against the base member, with the base member, amonitor hinge coupling the main body, to be rotated against the linkmember, with the link member, and an auxiliary link member linking therotation of the link member against the base member with the rotation ofmonitor main body. The monitor further includes a pair of fixingbrackets spaced from each other at a predetermined distance andinstalled on the base member. The base hinge includes first and secondbase hinge parts rotatably combining a lower end part of the link memberto the pair of fixing brackets.

According to an aspect of the invention, the first base hinge partincludes a first pin accommodating part formed on one side of the lowerend part of the link member, a boss accommodating part formed on thefirst fixing bracket and having a noncircular section, and a first hingepin having a first end rotatably inserted in the first pin accommodatingpart and a second end fitted into the boss accommodating part.

According to an aspect of the invention, the first hinge pin is placed afirst torsion spring having a first end coupled to the one side of thelower end part of the link member and a second end coupled to the firstfixing bracket, and elastically acting in an opposite direction to adownward rotation of the link member against the base member. Thus, thefirst torsion spring allows the link member to be positioned in place.

According to another aspect of the invention, the second base hinge partincludes a second pin accommodating part formed on the other side of thelower end part of the link member, a first link supporting part coupledto the second fixing bracket and formed with a spline accommodating partand, a first hinge pin having a first end rotatably inserted in thesecond pin accommodating part and a second end engaged with the splineaccommodating part of the first link supporting part.

According to an aspect of the invention, the second base hinge part isplaced a rotation-angle restricting device to restrict the rotation ofthe link member against the base member within a predetermined anglerange.

According to an aspect of the invention, the rotation-angle restrictingdevice includes a pair of first stoppers formed at a side of the lowerend part of the link member adjacent to the second pin accommodatingpart to face each other, and a first rotation-restricting washer placedon the second hinge pin and having a pair of projections to beselectively engaged with the pair of first stoppers according to arotation direction of the link member. The first rotation-restrictingwasher is fitted to the second hinge pin.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the monitor furtherincludes a supporter combined to the main body. The monitor hingeincludes first and second monitor hinge parts rotatably combining anupper end part of the link member to the supporter.

According to an aspect of the invention, the first monitor hinge partincludes a third pin accommodating part formed on one side of thesupporter, a fourth pin accommodating part formed on one side of theupper end part of the link member, and a third hinge pin having endsinserted in the third and fourth pin accommodating parts, respectively.

According to an aspect of the invention, the second monitor hinge partincludes a fifth pin accommodating part formed on the other side of thesupporter, a sixth pin accommodating part formed on the other side ofthe upper end part of the link member and, a second link supporting partrotatably inserted in the sixth pin accommodating part from an outsideof the link member and formed with a spline accommodating part. Thesecond monitor hinge part also includes a fourth hinge pin having afirst end fitted into the fifth pin accommodating part of the supporter,and a second end engaged with the spline accommodating part of thesecond link supporting part.

According to another aspect of the invention, the second monitor hingepart is provided a monitor angle restricting device to restrict therotation of the main body against the link member within a predeterminedangle range.

According to an aspect of the invention, the monitor angle restrictingdevice includes a second stopper of an arced shape protruded from oneside of the supporter adjacent to the fifth pin accommodating part, asecond rotation-restricting washer placed on the fourth hinge pin andhaving a projection to be engaged with the second stopper according tothe rotation direction of the main body, and a third stopper combined tothe one side of the supporter and locked on and released from theprojection of the second rotation-restricting washer.

According to an aspect of the invention, the monitor further includes asecond torsion spring combined to the one side of the supporter, andelastically biasing the third stopper in a direction in which the thirdstopper is engaged with the projection of the secondrotation-restricting washer.

According to another aspect of the invention, the monitor furtherincludes a spacer provided between the second link supporting part andthe second rotation-restricting washer.

According to an aspect of the invention, the monitor further includes anauxiliary link member linking the rotation of the link member againstthe base member with the rotation of the main body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent and more readily appreciated from the followingdescription of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with theaccompany drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a rear of a conventionalmonitor;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a rear of a monitor, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the rear of the monitor ofFIG. 2, in which a base member and a base bracket are separated;

FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of a link assembly andthe base member of the monitor in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the link assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the link assembly of FIG. 5;

FIGS. 7A through 7D are partially enlarged side views of the monitoraccording to an operating state thereof;

FIGS. 8A through 8C are partially enlarged sectional views illustratinga base hinge part according to the operating state of the monitor inFIGS. 7A through 7D;

FIGS. 9A through 9D are partially enlarged sectional views illustratinga monitor hinge part according to the operating state of the monitor inFIGS. 7A through 7D; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic view illustrating cables arranged in a linkmember of the monitor according to the present invention;

FIGS. 11A and 11B are side views illustrating the monitor being mountedon a wall;

FIGS. 12A and 12B are side views illustrating the monitor being mountedon an arm stand; and

FIG. 13A is a perspective view of a rear of a monitor, according toanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13B is a partially enlarged perspective view of a link assembly ofthe monitor as shown in FIG. 13A;

FIG. 13C is an exploded perspective view of the link assembly as shownin FIG. 13B;

FIGS. 14 through 17 are partially enlarged side views illustrating anoperating state of the monitor as shown in FIG. 13A;

FIGS. 18A through 18C are partially enlarged sectional viewsillustrating a base hinge part according to the operating state of themonitor corresponding to FIGS. 14 through 17;

FIGS. 19A through 19D are partially enlarged sectional viewsillustrating a monitor hinge part according to the operating state ofthe monitor corresponding to FIGS. 14 through 17; and

FIG. 20 is a perspective view illustrating a rear of a base member ofthe monitor, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferredembodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustratedin the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer tolike elements throughout.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a monitor according to an embodiment of thepresent invention includes a base member 130 laid on a predeterminedhorizontal plane and a monitor main body 120 having a screen 120 a todisplay a picture. The monitor also includes a link assembly 1 linkingthe base member 130 with the monitor main body 120 and a base bracket140 having a first side combined to a rear of the base member 130 and asecond side combined to an inclined plane including a vertical planesuch as a wall, an arm stand, etc.

The base bracket 140 includes a plurality of hooks 141 provided in thefirst side combined to the rear of the base member 130, a plurality offirst combining holes 143 to combine with the inclined plane such as awall, and a plurality of second combining holes 145 to combine with anarm stand according to VESA.

As shown in FIGS. 4 through 6, the base member 130 of the monitorincludes a base supporting part 133 formed with a plurality of basecombining holes 133 a to which first and second fixing brackets 4 and 6(to be described later) are combined, an upper base cover 131 providedon an upper part of the base supporting part 133, and a lower base cover132 provided on a lower part of the base supporting part 133. Further,the base member 130 includes a link member accommodating part 135 formedin a middle of a surface thereof and accommodating the link assembly 1,and a plurality of port receiving parts 133 b to receive a plurality offirst cable ports 151 of a cable assembly 150 (to be described later).Further, on a surface of the lower base cover 132 is formed a pluralityof hook holders 132 a (see FIG. 3) to hold the hooks 141 of the basebracket 140. Herein, the base supporting part 133 formed with the portreceiving parts 133 b and the base combining holes 133 a may beincorporated with the lower base cover 132 or the upper base cover 131.

The cable assembly 150 includes the plurality of first cable ports 151such as a cable port and a power port, which are fastened to the portreceiving parts 133 b and connected to a computer main body (not shown).The cable assembly 150 also includes a second cable port 152 connectedto the monitor main body 120, and a cable 153 accommodated in a linkmember 10 to connect the first cable port 151 and the second cable port152.

The link assembly 1 includes the link member 10 provided between themonitor main body 120 and the base member 130, an upper link membercover 2 provided on an upper part 10 b of the link member 10, a lowerlink member cover 3 provided on a lower part 10 a of the link member 10,a base hinge 20 rotatably connecting the lower part 10 a of the linkmember 10 with the base member 130, and a monitor hinge 70 rotatablyconnecting the upper part 10 b of the link member 10 with the monitormain body 120. Herein, the lower link member cover 3 is formed with aplurality of third combining holes 3 a corresponding to the plurality ofsecond combining holes 145 of the base bracket 140 so as to combine withan arm stand 170 (to be described later, see FIG. 12).

The link member 10 rotates against the base member 130 within apredetermined angle range. The range of the tilting angle may bedetermined based on regulation requirements in various nations, forexample, 0° through 65°.

The base hinge 20 is combined to the first and second fixing brackets 4and 6 which are spaced from each other at a predetermined distance andfastened onto the base supporting part 133 of the base member 130 withbolts 7. The base hinge 20 includes first and second base hinge parts 30and 40 rotatably connecting opposite sides of the lower part 10 a of thelink member 10 with the first and second fixing brackets 4 and 6,respectively. Further, the first fixing bracket 4 includes a springsupporting part 4 a protruding from the first fixing bracket 4 towardthe second fixing bracket 6.

The first base hinge part 30 includes a first pin accommodating part 31formed on a right side of the lower part 10 a of the link member 10, afirst boss accommodating part 32 formed in the spring supporting part 4a of the first fixing bracket 4, and a first hinge pin 33 having firstand second ends 33 a and 33 b coupled to the first pin accommodatingpart 31 and the first boss accommodating part 32, respectively. Thefirst end 33 a of the first hinge pin 33 is rotatably inserted into thefirst pin accommodating part 31, and the second end 33 b thereof isnonrotatively fitted into the first boss accommodating part 32. Thus,the first end 33 a of the first hinge pin 33 and the first pinaccommodating part 31 have circular shaped sections, and the second end33 b of the first hinge pin 33 and the first boss accommodating part 32have noncircular shaped sections.

A torsion spring 35 is put on the spring supporting part 4 a of thefirst fixing bracket 4. The torsion spring 35 has one end supported bythe right side of the lower part 10 a of the link member 10 on which thefirst pin accommodating part 31 is formed, and the other end supportedby the first fixing bracket 4. Further, the torsion spring 35 haselasticity acting in an opposite direction to downward tilting of thelink member 10 against the base member 130. However, a restoring forceof the torsion spring 35 is too weak to restore the link member 10 to anoriginal position after the link member 10 is downwardly pressed towardthe base member 130. Thus, when the link assembly 1, under a state asshown in FIG. 2, is downwardly pressed toward the base member 130, thelink assembly 1 is slowly moved by the elasticity of the torsion spring35.

The second base hinge part 40 includes a second pin accommodating part41 formed on a left side of the lower part 10 a of the link member 10, afirst link supporting part 42 incorporated with the second fixingbracket 6 and formed with a second boss accommodating part 42 a therein,and a second hinge pin 44 having first and second ends 44 a and 44 bcoupled to the second pin accommodating part 41 and the second bossaccommodating part 42 a, respectively. Like the first hinge pin 33, thefirst end 44 a of the second hinge pin 44 has a circular shaped sectionand is rotatably inserted into the second pin accommodating part 41. Thesecond end 44 b thereof is irrotatively fitted into the second bossaccommodating part 42 a.

The first and second base hinge parts 30 and 40 are provided with tiltrestricting devices 50 a and 50 b, respectively, to restrict the tilt ofthe link member 10 against the base member 130 within a predeterminedrange. Herein, the tilt restricting devices 50 a and 50 b are designedto be fit for tilting angle regulations according to VESA.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8A, the tilt resticting device 50 a includes apair of first stoppers 51 a and a pair of first projections 52 a.Herein, the pair of first stoppers 51 a is formed by cutting a fanshaped groove in the lower part 10 a of the link member 10 around thefirst pin accommodating part 31 to face each other. The pair of firstprojections 52 a is provided around the first boss accommodating part 32accommodating the first hinge pin 33, and is selectively engaged withthe pair of first stoppers 51 a according to a tilting direction of thelink member 10.

Similarly, the tilt resticting device 50 b includes a pair of secondstoppers 51 b and a pair of second projections 52 b. Herein, the pair ofsecond stoppers 51 b is formed by cutting a fan shaped groove in thelower part 10 a of the link member 10 around the second pinaccommodating part 41 to face each other. The pair of second projections52 b is provided around the second boss accommodating part 42 aaccommodating the second hinge pin 44, and is selectively engaged withthe pair of second stoppers 51 b according to the tilting direction ofthe link member 10.

Therefore, if the link member 10 is downwardly pressed against the basemember 130, the link member 10 rotatably combined to the first andsecond hinge pins 33 and 44 is downwardly tilted until the first andsecond stoppers 51 a and 51 b are each engaged with the first and secondprojections 52 a and 52 b of the first and second boss accommodatingparts 32 and 42 a at a downward-tilting limit position (see FIGS. 8B and8C).

To the contrary, if the link member 10 is upwardly pressed from the basemember 130, the link member 10 is upwardly tilted by the first andsecond hinge pins 33 and 44 until the first and second stoppers 51 a and51 b are each engaged with the first and second projections 52 a and 52b at an upward-tilting limit position (see FIG. 8A).

Thus, the tilting angle of the link member 10 against the base member130 may be determined by the tilt resticting devices 50 a and 50 b,which include the pair of first stoppers 51 a, the pair of secondstoppers 51 b, the pair of first projections 52 a, and the pair ofsecond projections 52 b. Therefore, if a rotatable angle of the linkmember 10 is different in various nations, the rotatable angle of thelink member 10 may be properly designed as necessary by altering sizesof the projections 52 a, 52 b and the stoppers 51 a, 51 b.

At the upper part 10 b of the link member 10 is provided the monitorhinge 70 (see FIG. 5) by which the monitor main body 120 is tiltedagainst the link member 10 within a predetermined angle range. The rangeof the tilting angle may be properly determined based on regulationrequirements in various nations, for example, −5° through 30°.

The monitor hinge 70 includes first and second monitor hinge parts 80and 90, respectively, rotatably combined to opposite sides of asupporter 55 fastened to the monitor main body 120 with bolts 57.

The first monitor hinge part 80 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) includes a firsthinge holder 83 protruding from an upper right part of the link member10 in a left direction, a first hinge accommodating part 81 grooved on aright side of the supporter 55 and having an upwardly opening, and anaccommodating part cover 55 a covering the opening of the first hingeaccommodating part 81 in a state that the first hinge holder 83 isarranged in the first hinge accommodating part 81. Thus, the first hingeholder 83 of the link member 10 is arranged in the first hingeaccommodating part 81 of the supporter 55, and then the opening of thefirst hinge accommodating part 81 is covered with the accommodating partcover 55 a, thereby allowing the monitor main body 120 to be tiltedagainst the link member 10.

The second monitor hinge part 90 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) includes a thirdpin accommodating part 91 formed on a left side of the supporter 55, asecond hinge accommodating part 92 formed at a left side of the upperpart 10 b of the link member 10, a second hinge holder 93 c rotatablyinserted into the second hinge accommodating part 92, and a third bossaccommodating part 93 a formed at a right side of the second hingeholder 93 c. The second monitor hinge part 90 also includes a secondlink supporting part 93 including the second hinge holder 93 c and thethird boss accommodating part 93 a and a third hinge pin 94 having afirst end 94 a rotatably fitted in the third pin accommodating part 91of the supporter 55 and a second end 94 b matched to the third bossaccommodating part 93 a of the second link supporting part 93.

The third hinge pin 94 includes the first end 94 a rotatably inserted inthe third pin accommodating part 91 formed on the left side of thesupporter 55, and the second end 94 b having a noncircular section andmatched to the third boss accommodating part 93 a of the second linksupporting part 93. Herein, the third hinge pin 94 should be rotatablycombined to the third pin accommodating part 91 of the supporter 55 by aforce stronger than torque due to a weight of the monitor main body 120.Therefore, in order to rotate the monitor main body 120 against the basemember 10, a predetermined force is required. On the other hand, thesecond hinge holder 93 c of the second link supporting part 93 combinedto third hinge pin 94 is rotatably combined with the second hingeaccommodating part 92, and a rotation between the second hinge holder 93c of the second link supporting part 93 and the second hingeaccommodating part 92 is achieved by auxiliary link members 100 and 110(to be described later) which are combined to and geared with the secondlink supporting part 93.

The second monitor hinge part 90 is provided with a monitor anglerestricting device 60 to restrict a tilting angle of the monitor mainbody 120 against the link member 10 within a predetermined angle range.The monitor angle restricting device 60 is designed to be fit for therotatable angle of the monitor main body 120 against the link member 10.

The monitor angle restricting device 60 (see FIG. 6) includes anarc-shaped third stopper 61 and, protrudes from the left side of thesupporter 55 adjacent to the third pin accommodating part 91. Themonitor angle restricting device 60 also includes a rotation-restrictingwasher 62 placed on the third hinge pin 94 and having a projection 62 ato be engaged with the third stopper 61 according to the rotationdirection of the monitor main body 120. The monitor angle restrictingdevice 60 includes a flat spring 63 combined to the left side of thesupporter 55 to restrict the rotation of the supporter 55 by pressingthe projection 62 a.

On the rotation-restricting washer 62 is formed a noncircular-shapedthrough hole 62 b. The through hole 62 b of the rotation-restrictingwasher 62 is fixedly matched to the third hinged pin 94, and thereforethe rotation-restricting washer 62 is rotated together with the thirdhinge pin 94.

The flat spring 63 has a projection 63 a protruded therefrom andelastically deformed by contact with the projection 62 a of therotation-restricting washer 62. The flat spring 63 also has a verticallyextended part fastened to the left side of the supporter 55 with bolts67.

Thus, when the monitor main body 120 is forwardly pressed against thelink member 10, the supporter 55 combined to the monitor main body 120is forwardly rotated on the first hinge holder 83 and the third hingepin 94 at a predetermined angle until the projection 62 a of therotation-restricting washer 62 combined to the third hinge pin 94 isengaged with one side of the third stopper 61 formed in the left side ofthe supporter 55 (see FIG. 9A). Oppositely, when the monitor main body120 is backwardly pressed against the link member 10, the supporter 55combined to the monitor main body 120 is backwardly rotated on the firsthinge holder 83 and the third hinge pin 94 at a predetermined angleuntil the projection 62 a of the rotation-restricting washer 62 combinedto the third hinge pin 94 is engaged with the projection 63 a of theflat spring 63 provided in the left side of the supporter 55 (see FIG.9B).

Therefore, if an allowable tilting angle of the monitor main body 120varies in different nations, the tilting angle of the main body 120 maybe properly designed as necessary by altering sizes of the projection 62a and the third stopper 61, and by altering a position of the flatspring 63.

Thus, folding the monitor main body 120 to the base member 130 inparallel is performed by pressing the monitor main body 120, which isstopped in a state that the projection 62 a of the rotation-restrictingwasher 62 is engaged with the projection 63 a of the flat spring 63fastened to the supporter 55, backwardly enough to deform the projection63 a of the flat spring 63 elastically, thereby allowing the projection62 a of the rotation-restricting washer 62 to rotate over the projection63 a of the flat spring 63 and to be engaged with the other side of thethird stopper 61 (see FIGS. 9C and 9D).

Oppositely, restoring the folded monitor main body 120 to an originalposition is performed by pressing the monitor main body 120 forwardly inreverse to the order described above.

With this configuration, the link member 10 rotates against the basemember 130 at a predetermined angle, and the monitor main body 120rotates against the link member 10 at a predetermined angle. Further,the link member 10 and the monitor main body 120 may not be individuallyrotated. For example, the monitor main body 120 may be rotated at thepredetermined angle (e.g., like the foregoing restricted tilting angle)by interlocking with the rotation of the link member 10 against the basemember 130.

To accomplish the above structure, the present invention includesauxiliary link members 100 and 110 to link the rotation of the linkmember 10 against the base member 130 with the rotation of the monitormain body 120.

The auxiliary link members 100 and 110 are bar-shaped, and are combinedto the first and second link supporting parts 42 and 93, respectively,in parallel. In each of the first and second link supporting parts 42and 93 are provided auxiliary link accommodating parts 42 c and 93 d,respectively, and a plurality of pin holes 42 b and 93 b spaced fromeach other at a predetermined distance. The pin holes 42 b and 93 bcorrespond to the auxiliary link accommodating parts 42 c and 93 d,respectively. On opposite ends of the auxiliary link members 100 and 110through holes 100 a and 110 a are positioned to correspond to the pinholes 42 b and 93 b, respectively.

Thus, in a state that both ends of the auxiliary link members 100 and110 are inserted into the first and second link supporting parts 42 and93, and the through holes 100 a and 110 a positioned on both ends of theauxiliary link members 100 and 110 respectively correspond to the pinholes 42 b and 93 b positioned on the first and second link supportingparts 42 and 93, the auxiliary link members 100 and 110 are coupled tothe first and second link supporting parts 42 and 93, respectively, by aplurality of link coupling pins 102. Therefore, the pair of auxiliarylink members 100 and 110 move in parallel with each other.

Operation of each part of the monitor according to the present inventionwill be described below.

As shown in FIGS. 7A through 7D, the link member 10 is downwardlypressed along an arrow “B” in FIG. 7A. Then, the link member 10 isdownwardly rotated on the first and second hinge pins 33 and 44 (seeFIGS. 7B and 8B). Here, the link member 10 is slowly rotated because ofthe elasticity of the torsion spring 35 put on the first base hinge part30.

According to the downward-rotation of the link member 10, the secondlink supporting part 93 provided at the upper part 10 b of the linkmember 10 is rotated, as shown in FIG. 7B, in a clockwise direction “C”at a predetermined angle by the auxiliary link members 100 and 110.Herein, because the rotation of the second link supporting part 93 islinked with the third hinge pin 94, and the third hinge pin 94 isrotated together with the supporter 55, the monitor main body 120 istilted at the predetermined angle. Here, the tilting angle of themonitor main body 120 is relatively small. Additionally, the rotationangle of the monitor main body 120 may be adjusted by altering a lengthand coupling position of the auxiliary link members 100 and 110. In theforegoing description, the reason that the third hinge pin 94 is rotatedtogether with the supporter 55 is that the third hinge pin 94 and thethird pin accommodating part 91 of the supporter 55 are rotatablycombined by force stronger than the torque due to the weight of themonitor main body 120.

In a state of the monitor as illustrated in FIG. 7B, if the link member10 is more downwardly pressed along an arrow “D,” the link member 10 isslowly rotated because of the elasticity of the torsion spring 35 untilthe first and second stoppers 51 a and 51 b provided at the first andsecond base hinge parts 30 and 40 are engaged with the projections 52 aand 52 b each formed around the first and second boss accommodating part32 and 42 a (see FIG. 8C). In this state, the link member 10 is notdownwardly rotated anymore, as illustrated in FIG.7C. Here, the secondlink supporting part 93 is rotated in a clockwise direction “E” beyondthe state as illustrated in FIG. 7B.

In the state of the monitor illustrated in FIG. 7C, to fold the monitormain body 120 on the base member 130, the monitor main body 120, whichis stopped in the state that the projection 62 a of therotation-restricting washer 62 is engaged with the projection 63 a ofthe flat spring 63 fastened to the supporter 55, should be backwardlypressed against the base member 130 enough to deform the projection 63 aof the flat spring 63 elastically. The projection 62 a of therotation-restricting washer 62 is thereby allowed to rotate over theprojection 63 a of the flat spring 63 and to be engaged with the otherside of the third stopper 61. Accordingly, the monitor main body 120 iscompletely laid on the base member 130 (see FIGS. 7D and 9D).

A process of altering the monitor from the state as shown in FIG. 7D(together with FIGS. 8C and 9D) into the state as shown in FIG. 7A isperformed in a reverse order to the description as described above.

As described above, because the monitor main body 120 is completely laidon the base member 130, a packing volume of the monitor is decreased,thereby decreasing costs to keep and carry the monitor.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view illustrating cables arranged in the linkmember 10 of the monitor. As shown therein, on the rear of the linkmember 10, a cable accommodating part 10 c to accommodate the cables 153of the cable assembly 150 is provided. The first cable ports 151 of thecable assembly 150 are fastened to the port receiving parts 133 bprovided in the base member 130, and the second cable port 152 thereofis connected to a part of the monitor main body 120. In the first hingeholder 83 of the link member 10 and the first hinge accommodating part81 of the supporter 55 are provided cable accommodating grooves 55 b and82, respectively, to accommodate and guide the cables 153 (see FIG. 6).Thus, the cables 153 provided between the monitor main body 120 and thebase member 130 are attached on the link member 10 to be accommodated inthe link assembly 1.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are side views illustrating the monitor being mountedon a wall. As shown therein, the base bracket 140 is fastened to a wall160 with bolts 147. The hook holders 132 a of the base member 130 arehung on the hooks 141 of the base bracket 140. Therefore, the monitormay be detachably mounted on the wall 160.

FIG. 12A and 12B are side views illustrating the monitor being mountedon an arm stand. As shown therein, the hooks 141 of the base bracket 140are inserted in the hook holders 132 a of the base member 130, therebycombining the base bracket 140 and base member 130. Further, a monitorsupporting part 171 provided at an upper part of the arm stand 170 isformed with a plurality of bracket combining holes 173 according toVESA. The base member 130 combined with the base bracket 140 is put onthe monitor supporting part 171. Thereafter, bolts 172 are combined tothe third combining holes 3 a formed on the lower link member cover 3 ata rear of the monitor supporting part 171 by passing through the bracketcombining holes 173 of the monitor supporting part 171 and the secondcombining holes 145 of the base bracket 140. Therefore, the monitor maybe easily mounted on various arm stands according to the VESA, and boththe link member 10 and the base member 130 may be combined to themonitor supporting part 171 of the arm stand 170.

In the foregoing description, the torsion spring 35 allowing for theslow rotation of the link member 10 is provided in the first base hingepart 30. However, the torsion spring 35 may be provided in at least oneof the first and second base hinge parts 30 and 40, respectively.Further, the tilt restricting device 50 is provided in the second basehinge part 40. However, the tilt restricting device 50 may be providedin at least one of the first and second base hinge parts 30 and 40,respectively.

Further, the monitor angle restricting device 60 restricting the angleadjustment of the monitor may be provided in the first monitor hingepart 80.

FIGS. 13A through 13C show a monitor having a link assembly and a basemember, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 13A through 13C, the monitor includes a base member21, a main body 22 having a screen 22 a to display a picture, a linkmember 310 linking the base member 21 with the main body 22, a basehinge 220 rotatably connecting a lower part 310 a of the link member 310with the base member 21, and a monitor hinge 270 rotatably connecting anupper part 310 b of the link member 310 with the main body 22.

The link member 310 rotates against the base member 21 within apredetermined angle range. The range of the rotation angle is determinedbased on regulation requirement in various nations, for example, 0°through 65°.

A base hinge 220 is provided between first and second fixing brackets 24and 26 which are spaced from each other at a predetermined distance andfastened on the base member 21 with bolts 27. The base hinge 220includes first and second base hinge parts 230 and 240 rotatablyconnecting both edges of the lower part 310 a of the link member 310with the first and second fixing brackets 24 and 26, respectively.

The first base hinge part 230 (see FIGS. 13B and 13C) includes a firstpin accommodating part 231 formed on a right side of the lower part 310a of the link member 310, a boss accommodating part 232 formed on thefirst fixing bracket 24, and a first hinge pin 233 having first andsecond ends coupled to the first pin accommodating part 231 and the bossaccommodating part 232, respectively.

A first end 233 a of the first hinge pin 233 is rotatably inserted intothe first pin accommodating part 231 and has a predetermined frictiontherebetween. A second end 233 b of the first hinge pin 233 isnonrotationally fitted into the boss accommodating part 232. Thus, thefirst end 233 a of the first hinge pin 233 and the first pinaccommodating part 231 have circular shaped sections. The second end 233b of the hinge pin 233 and the boss accommodating part 232 havenoncircular shaped sections. Herein, the friction between the firsthinge pin 233 and the first pin accommodating part 231 prevents the linkmember 310 from being downwardly rotated due to the weight of the mainbody 22 against the base member 21.

On the first hinge pin 233 a first torsion spring 235 is placed. One endof the first torsion spring 235 is positioned at the right side of thelower part 310 a of the link member 310 on which the first pinaccommodating part 231 is formed, and the other end thereof ispositioned at the first fixing bracket 24.

The first torsion spring 235 provides elasticity acting in an oppositedirection to a downward rotation of the link member 30 against the basemember 21. The first torsion spring 235 provides elasticityapproximately equal to torque due to the weight of the main body 22 inthe base hinge 220. Further, because there is the friction between thefirst hinge pin 233 and the first hinge accommodating part 231 providedin the first base hinge part 230, and a friction between a second hingepin 244 and a second hinge accommodating part 241 (to be describedlater) provided in the second base hinge part 240, the link member 310is stopped in the upwardly or downwardly rotated state. Therefore, inorder to rotate the link member 310 upwardly or downwardly against thebase member 21, the link member 310 is pressed by a force stronger thanthe friction of the first and second base hinge parts 230 and 240.

The second base hinge part 240 (see FIGS. 13B and 13C) includes thesecond pin accommodating part 241 formed on a left side of the lowerpart 310 a of the link member 310, a first link supporting part 242combined to the second fixing bracket 26 and formed with a splineaccommodating part 242 a therein, and the second hinge pin 244 havingfirst and second ends coupled to the second pin accommodating part 241and the spline accommodating part 242 a, respectively.

The first end 244 a of the second hinge pin 244 has a circular shapedsection and is rotatably inserted into the second pin accommodating part241 and has a predetermined friction therebetween. The second end 244 bof the second hinge pin 244 is nonrotationally fitted into the splineaccommodating part 242 a. Here, the second end 244 b of the second hingepin 244 is splined so as to be matched to the spline accommodating part242 a of the first link supporting part 242. Herein, the frictionbetween the second hinge pin 244 and the second pin accommodating part241 prevents the link member 310 from being downwardly rotated due tothe weight of the main body 22 against the base member 21.

Corresponding to the first torsion spring 235 provided in the first basehinge part 230 to keep the link member 310 in place, on the second basehinge part 240 is placed a rotation-angle restricting device 250 torestrict a rotation of the link member 310 against the base member 21within a predetermined range. The rotation-angle restricting means 250is designed to be fit for rotation angle regulations according to VESA.

The rotation-angle restricting device 250 (see FIGS. 13C and 18A)includes a pair of first stoppers 251 formed at the left side of thelower part 310 a of the link member 310 around the second pinaccommodating part 241 to face each other. The rotation-anglerestricting device 250 also includes a first rotation-restricting washer252 placed on the second hinge pin 244 including a pair of projections252 a to be selectively engaged with the first stoppers 251 according toa rotation direction of the link member 310.

On the first rotation-restricting washer 252 is formed anoncircular-shaped through hole 252 b. Thus, into the through hole 252 bof the first rotation-restricting washer 252 is inserted the secondhinge pin 244. Therefore, if the link member 310 is downwardly pressedagainst the base member 21, the link member 310, rotatably combined tothe first and second hinge pins 233 and 244, is downwardly rotated untilthe first stoppers 251 are engaged with the projections 252 a of thefirst rotation-restricting washer 252 at a downward rotation limitposition (see FIG. 18C).

To the contrary, if the link member 310 is upwardly pressed from thebase member 21, the link member 310 is upwardly rotated by the first andsecond hinge pins 233 and 244 until the first stoppers 251 are engagedwith the projections 252 a of the first rotation-restricting washer 252at an upward-rotation limit position (see FIG. 18A).

Thus, the rotation angle of the link member 310 against the base member21 may be determined by the rotation-angle restricting device 250.Therefore, if the rotation angle of the link member 310 is different invarious nations, the rotation angle of the link member 310 may beproperly designed as necessary by altering sizes of the projections 252a and the first stoppers 251.

At an upper part 310 b of the link member 310 is provided a monitorhinge 270 (see FIG. 13A) by which the monitor main body 22 is rotatedagainst the link member 310 within a predetermined angle range. Therange of the rotation angle may be properly determined based onregulation requirements in various nations, for example, −5° through30°.

The monitor hinge 270 includes first and second monitor hinge parts 280and 290 rotatably combined to opposite edges of a supporter 255 fastenedto the main body 22 with bolts 257.

The first monitor hinge part 280 (see FIGS. 13B and 13C) includes athird pin accommodating part 281 formed on a right side of the supporter255, a fourth pin accommodating part 282 formed at a right side of theupper part 310 b of the link member 310, and a third hinge pin 283 to beinserted in the third and fourth pin accommodating parts 281 and 282.Herein, a first end 283 a of the third hinge pin 283 is rotatablyinserted in the third pin accommodating part 281 to allow the main body22 to rotate. A second end 283 b of the third hinge pin 283 is fixedlypress-fitted in the fourth pin accommodating part 282.

The second monitor hinge part 290 (see FIGS. 13B and 13C) includes afifth pin accommodating part 291 formed on a left side of the supporter255, a sixth pin accommodating part 292 formed at a left side of theupper part 310 b of the link member 310, a second link supporting part293 rotatably inserted in the sixth pin accommodating part 92 from anoutside of the upper part 310 b of the link member 310 and formed with aspline accommodating part 293 a. The second monitor hinge part 290 alsoincludes a fourth hinge pin 294 having a first end 294 a inserted in thefifth pin accommodating part 291 of the supporter 255 and a second end294 b matched to the spline accommodating part 293 a of the second linksupporting part 293.

Like the first, second and third hinge pins 233, 244 and 283, the firstend 294 a of the fourth hinge pin 294 is rotatably inserted in the fifthpin accommodating part 291 formed on the supporter 255, having apredetermined friction therebetween. The second end 294 b of the fourthhinge pin 294 is nonrotationally matched to the spline accommodatingpart 293 a of the second link supporting part 293. Further, the secondlink supporting part 293 combined with the second end 294 b of thefourth hinge pin 294 is also rotatably inserted in the sixth pinaccommodating part 292. A hinge combination between the second linksupporting part 293 and the sixth pin accommodating part 292 isinterlocked with auxiliary link members 2100 and 2110 (to be describedlater). Herein, a friction between the fourth hinge pin 294 and the mainbody 22 prevents the link member 310 from being downwardly rotated dueto weight of the main body 22 against the base member 21. Therefore, thefriction should be stronger than the torque due to the weight of themain body 22.

In the second monitor hinge part 290, as in the rotation-anglerestricting device 250 restricting the rotation of the link member 310against the base member 21 within the predetermined angle range, amonitor angle restricting device 260 is provided to restrict therotation of the main body 22 against the link member 310 within apredetermined angle range. The monitor angle restricting device 620 isdesigned to be fit for the rotatable angle of the main body 22 againstthe link member 310.

The monitor angle restricting device 260 (see FIG. 13C) includes anarc-shaped second stopper 261 protruding from the left side of thesupporter 255 adjacent to the fifth pin accommodating part 291, a secondrotation-restricting washer 262 placed on the fourth hinge pin 294 andhaving a projection 262 a to be engaged with the second stopper 261according to the rotation direction of the main body 22, and a thirdstopper 263 combined to the left side of the supporter 55 and locked onand released from the projection 262 a.

On the second rotation-restricting washer 262 is formed anoncircular-shaped through hole 262 b. The through hole 262 b of thesecond rotation-restricting washer 262 is fixedly matched to the fourthhinged pin 294, and therefore the second rotation-restricting washer 262is rotated together with the fourth hinge pin 294.

The third stopper 263 is rotatably coupled to the left side of thesupporting part with a bolt 267 adjacent to the fifth pin accommodatingpart 291. The third stopper 263 is employed to adjust an angle of themain body 22 while the monitor is used, and to fold the main body 22 onthe base member 21 when the monitor is packed.

Between the left side of the supporter 255 and the third stopper 263 asecond torsion spring 265 is provided. The second torsion spring 265 (tobe described later in more detail) is employed to restore the thirdstopper 263 to an original position.

Between the second link supporting part 293 and the secondrotation-restricting washer 262 a spacer 298 is provided. The spacer 298is employed to keep a space between the second link supporting part 293and the second rotation-restricting washer 262 at a predetermineddistance.

Thus, if the main body 22 is vertically pressed against the link member310 enough to overcome the friction between the fourth hinge pin 294 andthe supporter 255, the main body 22 is rotated on the third and fourthhinge pins 283 and 294, respectively. The main body 22 may be rotateduntil the projection 262 a of the second rotation-restricting washer 262is engaged with one side of the second stopper 261 or a first end 263 aof the third stopper 263 (see FIGS. 19A or 19B). Therefore, if anallowable rotation angle of the main body 22 is different in variousnations, the rotation angle of the main body 22 may be properly designedas necessary by altering sizes of the projection 262 a and the secondstopper 261 and by altering a position of the third stopper 263.

Further, to fold the main body 22 to the base member 21 in a parallelposition, the main body 22 is rotated until the projection 262 a isengaged with the other side of the second stopper 261 (see FIG. 19D)without being engaged with the first end 263 a of the third stopper 263(see the dotted line on FIG. 19C).

To restore the third stopper 263 to an original position, the secondtorsion spring is provided in the third stopper 263. Thus, after theprojection 262 a passes the third stopper 263 while the third stopper263 is rotated on the bolt 267 by pushing a second end 263 b thereof(see the rotation from the solid line to the dotted line in FIG. 19C),if the second end 263 b of the third stopper 263 is released by pushing,the third stopper 263 is restored to the original position by theelasticity of the second torsion spring 265.

With the configuration described above, the link member 310 rotatesagainst the base member 21 at a predetermined angle, and the main body22 rotates against the link member 310 at a predetermined angle.

Further, the link member 310 and the main body 22 may not beindividually rotated. That is, the main body 22 may be rotated at thepredetermined angle by gearing with the rotation of the link member 310against the base member 21.

To accomplish this structure, the present invention further includes theauxiliary link members 2100 and 2110 to link the rotation of the linkmember 310 against the base member 21 with the rotation of the main body22.

The auxiliary link members 2100 and 2110 are bar-shaped, and arecombined to the first and second link supporting parts 242 and 293,respectively, in parallel. In each of the first and second linksupporting parts 242 and 293, are provided a plurality of pin holesspaced from each other at a predetermined distance. The second linksupporting part 293 is provided with pin holes 293 b. Particularly, pinholes (not shown) of the first link supporting part 242 correspond topin holes 26 b formed on the second fixing bracket 26. On both ends ofthe auxiliary link members 2100 and 2110 are formed through holes 2100 aand 2110 a to correspond to the pin holes 293 b and 26 b, respectively.

Thus, in a state that the through holes 2100 a and 2110 a formed on bothends of the auxiliary link member 2100 and 2110 respectively correspondto the pin holes formed on the first and second link supporting parts242 and 293 and the pin holes 26 b formed on the second fixing bracket26, the auxiliary link member 2100 and 2110 are coupled to the first andsecond link supporting parts 242 and 293, respectively, by a pluralityof link fixing pins 2120. Therefore, the pair of auxiliary link member2100 and 2110 move in parallel with each other.

An operation of the monitor according to the present invention will bedescribed hereinbelow.

In a state of the monitor illustrated in FIG. 14 (together with FIGS.18A and 9A), the link member 310 is downwardly pressed along an arrow“B” in FIG. 14. Then, the link member 310 is downwardly rotated on thefirst and second hinge pins 233 and 244 (see FIGS. 15 and 18B). The linkmember 310 is slowly rotated because of the elasticity of the firsttorsion spring 235 placed on the first base hinge part 230.

According to the downward rotation of the link member 310, the secondlink supporting part 293 provided at the upper part 310 b of the linkmember 310 is rotated, as shown in FIG. 15, in a clockwise direction “C”at a predetermined angle by the auxiliary link members 2100 and 2110.Herein, the rotation of the second link supporting part 293 rotates thethird hinge pin 283, and the fourth hinge pin 294 and the supporter 255are interlocked by the friction therebetween, so that the main body 22is also rotated at the predetermined angle. The rotation angle of themain body 22 is comparatively small. Additionally, the rotation angle ofthe main body 22 may be adjusted by altering a length and a couplingposition of the auxiliary link members 2100 and 2110.

In the state of the monitor illustrated in FIG. 15, if the link member310 is more downwardly pressed along the arrow “D”, the link member 310is slowly rotated because of the elasticity of the first torsion spring235 until one of the first stoppers 251 provided at the second basehinge part 240 is engaged with the projections 252 a of the firstrotation-restricting washer 252 (see FIG. 18C). Here, the link member310 is not downwardly rotated anymore, as is illustrated in FIG. 16. Atthis time, the second link supporting part 293 is rotated in a clockwisedirection “E” beyond the state as shown in FIG. 15.

In the state of the monitor illustrated in FIG. 16, to fold the mainbody 22 on the base member 21, the projection 262 a passes the first end263 a of the third stopper 263 while the third stopper 263 is rotated onthe bolt 267 by pushing the second end 263 b thereof. As shown in FIG.19C, the third stopper 263 moves from the solid line to the dotted line.

The upper part of the main body 22 is downwardly pressed toward the basemember 21, and then the main body 22 is rotated on the third and fourthhinge pins 283 and 294, respectively, so that the main body 22 is, asshown in FIG. 17, laid on the base member 21. Here, the projection 262 aof the second rotation-restricting washer 262 passes the first end 263 aof the third stopper 263 and then moves as far as the second stopper 261(see FIG. 19D).

A process of altering the monitor from the state as shown in FIG.17(together with FIGS. 18C and 19D) into the state as shown in FIG. 14 isperformed in reverse to the order described above.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view illustrating a rear of a base member ofthe monitor, according to another embodiment of the present invention.As shown in FIG. 20, the base member 130 includes a plurality ofcombining holes 132 b formed according to (VESA). The combining holes132 b are formed to correspond to the plurality of second combiningholes 145 of the base bracket 140 so as to combine with an arm stand170.

As described above, because the main body 22 is completely laid on thebase member 21, the packing volume of the monitor is decreased, therebydecreasing the cost of packing the monitor and a space to keep and carrythe monitor.

In the above description, the first torsion spring 235 and therotation-angle restricting device 250 are provided at the first andsecond base hinge parts 230 and 240, respectively. However, positionsthereof may be exchanged.

Further, the monitor angle restricting device 260 restricting the angleadjustment of the monitor main body 22 may be provided at the firstmonitor hinge part 280.

As described above, the present invention provides a monitor, in which abase member is installed onto an inclined plane such as a wall, an armstand, etc., and more particularly, a monitor which is easily installedonto various arm stands according to VESA.

Further, the present invention provides a monitor which properly adjustsa tilting angle of a main body against a base member, and decreasescosts to keep and carry the monitor by decreasing the packing volumethereof.

Although a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown anddescribed, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatchanges may be made in these embodiments without departing from theprinciples and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined inthe appended claims and their equivalents.

1. A monitor main body supporting apparatus, comprising: a base memberto support a monitor main body; a link member disposed between themonitor main body and the base member; and a monitor hinge to pivotallycouple the monitor main body with the link member, the monitor hingeallowing the monitor main body to be tilted for inclination adjustment,wherein the monitor hinge restricts tilting of the monitor main bodyagainst the link member within a predetermined monitor hinge referenceangle range about a monitor hinge axis, and allows the monitor main bodyto be further tilted about the monitor hinge axis when the monitor mainbody is further pressed against the link member beyond the monitortilting restriction, and wherein the base member is pivotally coupledwith the link member to adjust a height of the monitor main body.
 2. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the monitor hinge comprises: amonitor angle restricting device to restrict the tilt of the monitormain body against the link member within the predetermined monitor hingereference angle range.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, whereinthe monitor angle restricting device comprises: a stopper; arotation-restricting washer coupled to the link member and having aprojection restricting rotation of the stopper; and a flat spring, whichis restricted by the projection of the rotation-restricting washerwithin the predetermined monitor hinge reference angle range, whereinthe flat spring passes the projection by being elastically deformed whenthe monitor main body is further pressed beyond the predeterminedmonitor hinge reference angle range.
 4. The apparatus according to claim3, wherein the predetermined monitor hinge reference angle range is from−5° to 30°.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: asupporter coupled to the monitor main body, wherein the monitor hingeincludes at least one hinge pin to pivotally couple the link member withthe supporter.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein themonitor angle restricting device comprises: a stopper, which protrudesfrom the supporter; a rotation-restricting washer coupled to the linkmember and having a projection; another stopper rotatably coupled to thesupporter to adjust the angle between the link member and monitor mainbody and which can pass the projection by applying pressure, and atorsion spring, which is attached between the supporter and the anotherstopper, which returns the monitor main body to an original positionafter the another stopper passes the projection and the another stopperis pushed to release the another stopper.
 7. The apparatus according toclaim 1, further comprising: a base hinge to pivotally couple the linkmember with the base member.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 7,further comprising: an auxiliary link member to transmit tilting of thelink member against the base member to tilting of the monitor main bodyagainst the link member.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 8, furthercomprising: at least one fixing bracket coupled to the base member,wherein the base hinge includes at least one hinge pin to pivotallycouple the link member with the fixing bracket.
 10. The apparatusaccording to claim 7, the base hinge comprises: a tilt restrictingdevice to restrict tilting of the link member against the base member,wherein a tilting angle of the link member against the base member isadjusted by the tilt restricting device.
 11. The apparatus according toclaim 8, wherein the auxiliary link member is parallel with the linkmember at a side of the link member and pivotally couples the monitorhinge with the base member.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the base member is provided with at least one cable port forpower and/or a signal, the link member is provided with a cableaccommodating part thereon to accommodate a cable connected to the cableport, and the monitor hinge is provided with a cable accommodatinggroove to accommodate the cable.
 13. The apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the base member comprises: a link accommodating part toaccommodate the link member therein, to fold the monitor main body ontothe base member.
 14. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thelink member is formed with holes according to VESA (Video ElectronicStandard Association).
 15. A monitor main body supporting apparatus,comprising: a base member to support a monitor main body; a link memberdisposed between the monitor main body and the base member; a base hingeto pivotally couple the link member with the base member about ahorizontal axis; and a monitor hinge to pivotally couple the monitormain body with the link member, the monitor hinge allowing the monitormain body to be tilted for inclination adjustment, wherein the monitorhinge restricts tilting of the monitor main body against the link memberwithin a predetermined monitor hinge reference angle range about amonitor hinge axis, and allows the monitor main body to be furthertilted about the monitor hinge axis and to be folded onto the linkmember when the monitor main body is further pressed against the linkmember beyond the monitor tilting restriction.
 16. The apparatusaccording to claim 15, wherein the monitor hinge comprises: a monitorangle restricting device to restrict the tilt of the monitor main bodyagainst the link member within the predetermined monitor hinge referenceangle range.
 17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein themonitor angle restricting device comprises: a stopper provided on themonitor main body; a rotation-restricting washer coupled to the linkmember and having a projection restricting rotation of the stopper; anda flat spring coupled to the monitor main body, restricted by theprojection of the rotation-restricting washer within the predeterminedmonitor hinge reference angle range, to pass the projection by beingelastically deformed when the monitor main body is further pressedbeyond the predetermined monitor hinge reference angle range.
 18. Theapparatus according to claim 17, wherein the predetermined monitor hingereference angle range is from −5° to 30°.
 19. The apparatus according toclaim 17, further comprises: a supporter coupled to the monitor mainbody, wherein the stopper is provided on the supporter and the flatspring coupled to the supporter.
 20. The apparatus according to claim15, further comprising: an auxiliary link member to transmit tilting ofthe link member against the base member to tilting of the monitor mainbody against the link member.
 21. The apparatus according to claim 20,further comprising: at least one fixing bracket coupled to the basemember, wherein the base hinge includes at least one hinge pin topivotally couple the link member with the fixing bracket.
 22. Theapparatus according to claim 20, further comprising: a supporter coupledto the monitor main body, wherein the monitor hinge includes at leastone hinge pin to pivotally couple the link member with the supporter.23. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the auxiliary linkmember is parallel with the link member at a side of the link member andpivotally couples the monitor hinge with the base member.
 24. Theapparatus according to claim 15, the base hinge comprises: a tiltrestricting device to restrict tilting of the link member against thebase member, wherein a tilting angle of the link member against the basemember is adjusted by the tilt restricting device.
 25. The apparatusaccording to claim 15, wherein the base member is provided with at leastone cable port for power and/or a signal, the link member is providedwith a cable accommodating part thereon to accommodate a cable connectedto the cable port, and the monitor hinge is provided with a cableaccommodating groove to accommodate the cable.
 26. The apparatusaccording to claim 15, wherein the base member comprises: a linkaccommodating part to accommodate the link member therein, to fold themonitor main body onto the base member.
 27. The apparatus according toclaim 15, wherein the link member is formed with holes according to VESA(Video Electronic Standard Association).